Jon R Hokanson

Jon R Hokanson, 82, of Pocatello passed from this life into the next on February 28, 2017 after a long battle with the complications of diabetes. He had a wonderful life filled with accomplishments and adventure. He was the fourth of five children born on September 29, 1934 to Richard and Edna (Hemmert) Hokanson in Star Valley, Wyoming and was an inspiration to all of his sisters and brothers.

Jon R graduated from Star Valley High School in 1953 and followed that with an LDS Mission to the Eastern States Mission, serving primarily in New York in 1955-56. He continued his education at Ricks College, Utah State University and then graduated from Brigham Young University in 1965 with a degree in accounting.

In his youth, he spent time with his dad farming, ranching, livestock trucking, hunting and being a cowboy. He loved horses and he began riding at an early age then jockeying racehorses for his dad in the summer and participating in cutter races in the winter. As he grew into his teenage years, he owned a Harley Davidson motorcycle, long before they were cool.

Jon R’s pioneering heritage took him to Provo, Utah where he met the young lady that supported him and loved him despite his weaknesses, marrying Charlotte Alice Zobell on April 4, 1963 in the Manti, Utah LDS temple. After his college graduation, they began their life together in St. George, Utah where Jon R served as a controller for a lumberyard. In 1968, the young family moved to Pocatello after Jon R accepted a job with Farmers Insurance Group. He retired after 29 years with Farmers.

Jon R and Charlotte had 3 wonderful children who loved him very much. He was a quiet, humble man; his actions spoke louder than words and they knew he loved them. The family enjoyed camping in Yellowstone and snowmobiling in Island Park, a tradition now carried through three generations. Jon R loved the outdoors and kept busy working. He was self-sufficient and could fix anything. Snowmobiling, hunting, raising hay, and cattle kept a smile on his face. Jon R also loved teaching boys to become men.

His strong testimony of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ made him a stalwart member of the LDS church. Jon R was the man everyone could count on and he expected nothing less from others. He served in various church callings and did his part to nurture the Kingdom of God on earth.

Many of his accomplishments are not tangible, but will carry on for generations. His personality can be best described as tougher than nails and always standing for what was right.

Jon R is survived by his wife Charlotte, brother Dan, daughter Kristine (Rex) Force, sons Justin (Catherine) and Mark (Staci) and 12 grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Wayne and sisters Una and LaNa.

The family will meet with friends on Friday March 3, 2017 from 6-8 PM at Cornelison Funeral Home, 431 N 15th Avenue in Pocatello. The family will receive guests again one hour prior to the funeral service on Saturday March 4, 2017 at 10 AM at the Gibson Jack Ward LDS Chapel at 8200 West Portneuf Road in Pocatello. Funeral services will follow at 11 AM with Bishop Daniel Ordyna officiating. Interment will follow at Mountain View Cemetery 1520 S. 5th Avenue, Pocatello, Idaho 83204. Condolences to the family may be made online at: www.cornelisonfh.com.

As an option to flowers or other gifts, the family requests that memorial donations be made to the American Diabetes Association in the name of Jon R Hokanson on the web at: donations.diabetes.org.

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